A New Caledonian policeman was shot in the chest in an assault on Saturday, but saved by his bulletproof vest.
Police in Nouméa say the incident occurred when a dozen officers went to Kouaoua village, on the east coast, to question a man wanted for violence.
A 20-year-old man, already known to police because of drug offences, was arrested and is being held in Nouméa.
There has been a dramatic escalation in attacks on police in recent years in New Caledonia with 35 attacks in 2015.
